Conditioners for electric shavers and the like



May 8, 1962 R. ANDERSEN 3,032,939

CONDITIONERS FOR ELECTRIC SHAVERS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 10. 1958 INVENTOR. ROLAND ANDERSEN ATTORNEY 3,032,939 CONDITIONERS FOR ELETRIC SHAVERS AND THE LEKE Roland Andersen, P.0. Box 187, Monterey Park, Calif. Filed Feb. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 714,291 1 Claim. (Cl. 51-463) This invention relates to conditioners for cutting head tools such as electric shavers, electric clippers, hand clippers, and the like.

The continued, efficient use of electric shavers and similar cutting head tools requires their frequent cleaning and lubrication. Such cleaning involves the necessary removal of skin particles, whiskers, hair, dirt, and the residues of salty perspiration from the cutting heads while the lubrication not only keeps the moving parts free, but coats the fine metal parts with a protective film which inhibits rust and undue deterioration. Failure to so clean and lubricate the cutting head usually results in clogging and excessive wear which, in turn, impair the cutting head actin and require frequent replacement of parts, particularly the main cutting elements. The cutting head gets rough in action and, in the case of an electric shaver, renders shaving unpleasant, hurtful, and generally unsatisfactory.

Various types of cleaning kits are furnished for such equipment, either with the instrument of separably purichasable. Such kits usually consist of a set of functionally shaped brushes accompanied by small bottles of oil and tubes of a grease-like lubricant. The use of these cleaning kits requires a partial breakdown of the shaver or other like tool and usually results, when infrequently accomplished, in the over-lubrication of the instrument with consequent deleterious effect on the delicate electrical parts. Being in the nature of an unwelcome chore, the use of such cleaning kits is either neglected or applied so infrequently as to be of little real value in the prevention of clogging or in the proper protective conditioning of the cutting head. Obviously the partial, mechanical dis-assembly and re-assernbly of the instrument necessitated by the use of such cleaning kits are beyond the general skills of the average inexperienced novice. This condition particularly applies to womenwho may be using the instrument for depilatory purposes.

The principal object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a conditioner for electric shavers, for example, that is extremely convenient to use and thus is conducive to the encouragement of its use by the utilizer of the electric shaver or similar instrument.

Another object of my invention is to provide a conditioner that will clean, sterilize, and properly lubricate the cutting head of an electric shaver, clipper or other like cutting instrument.

A further object of my invention is to provide a means whereby the cutting head of an electric razor or shaver may be readily coated with a protective film which not only shields the delicate parts from undue rust, corrosion, and wear, but causes the cutting head to glide over the surface of the skin, thus eliminating razor drag and preventing roughening and irritation of the skin.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a conditioner for cleaning and lubricating electric shavers, electric clippers, hand clippers and the like, the use of which does not require the partial mechanical breakdown and re-assembly of the cutting head, a process generally beyond the skill of the average user.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a conditioner for cleaning, sterilizing, and lubricating the cutting heads of electric shavers and the like that is very convenient to use whereby its frequent use engendered by its convenienve serves to prolong and extend the life of 3,032,939 Patented May 8, 1962 ice the cutting instrument considerably beyond its normal expectancy and term.

Another object of my invention is to provide a conditioner for cutting heads of electric shavers that may be readily manufactured for sale at a reasonable price and is conveniently available for instant use both before and after utilization of the cutting instrument.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will appear in connection with the following description and its accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters throughout the various views refer to like parts and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of my invention, partly broken away to show the combination of the various parts;

FIG. 2 is. an elevation, partly broken away to show the cooperation of the parts; 9

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of the lower portion of the conditioner showing its use with an electric shaver;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of a detail of my invention taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of another detail taken on line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section illustrating certain details of construction and a modified form of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an important element of my invention.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, my conditioner 10 comprises a shallow box structure or container 12 having a lower or bottom portion 14, a lid or upper portion 16, a cellular, resilient fluid retaining element 20, and a porous or foraminous protective covering 22 for the element 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the upwardly extending sides 15 of the bottom portion 14 are formed with a rabbet 17 having a shoulder 18. The downwardly extending sides 19 of the lid portion 16 are formed so as to fit closely over the rabbetted sides 15 and rest on the shoulder 18. This type of construction not only affords completely smooth sides for the container 12, but also assists in the formation of an hermetic seal for preventing undue evaporation of the conditioning fluid when my invention is not in use.

In order to further assist in the formation of the hermetic seal between the upper and lower portions of the box 12, a plurality of conical protrusions 21 are provided on the lower side of the lid 16. As shown, these protrusions are spaced inwardly from the sides 19 a sufficient distance to receive the upwardly extending sides 15 and, because of their conical shape, to force the rabbetted portion 17 of sides 15 against the downwardly extending sides 19 of the lid 16. This arrangement not only insures a good and elfective seal between the bottom and the lid portions, but also insures the retention of the lid by the bottom part of the container.

The lower portion 14 may be provided with a plurality of small projections 23 on which it rests. The internal portions 24 of the sides 15 may be roughened, as shown in FIG. 6, in order to better retain the fluid element 20 when it is inserted into the bottom portion 14 of the container 12. The upper or lid portion 16 may be provided with a raised or plaque section 25 which may be used to support a decorative label or it may be engraved with the name of the device and words of instruction for its use.

The fluid retainer 21} is shaped to conform generally to the internal cavity of the box 12 and consists of a cellular material which is adapted to absorb and retain a substantial amount of the conditioning fluid. The cellular structure of the element 20 may be formed of any one of various materials such as cellulose, plastic-foam, foam neoprene, or similar substances which are not affected chemically by the conditioning fluids. Preferably, however, the material used must be so formed as to possess a multiplicity of very small or fine cells which are interconnecting so as to draw-in and retain a maximum amount of the conditioning fluid and yet release it readily under a slight pressure, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The element 20 may be provided with a porous or foraminous covering 22 which may be applied as shown in FIG. 7. This covering may be of chamois, certain types of porous plastics, or cellulous membranes. Obviously, it must be of a sufliciently porous nature to readily pass the conditioning fluid as well as being of a material of some mechanical strength to insure its proper functioning as a protective covering for the softer multi-cellular fluid retaining element 20. This covering 22 may be applied as shown in FIG. 7 or it may enclose the entire element.

In the preparation of the invention for normal use, the fluid retaining element 20 is loaded with the conditioning fluid and the covering 22 may then be applied. The assembled unit is next placed into the lower portion of the boX 12 and is held in place by the roughened side portions 24. The lid 16 is then pressed into place and the invention is ready for marketing. Alternatively, the unit may be assembled dry, i.e., the fluid retaining element 20 is not loaded with conditioning fluid prior to its being placed into the container 12. Under these circumstances, as may be required for shipping purposes, the condition ing fluid may be provided in a separate envelope or package 28, as shown in FIG. 6. The envelope 28, which may be of flexible plastic or other similar impervious membranous material, is held on top of the element 26 by the protrusions 21. This envelope or package 28 is filled with an amount of conditioning fluid suflicient to properly load the element 20, is then sealed in the customary manner, and placed into the container 12. The lid 16 holds its firmly in place during shipment. The consumer or user removes the lid and the envelope of conditioning fluid and, after suitably opening the envelope, pours the conditioning fluid over the element 20 and its covering 22. In a short time, the fluid will have permeated the element and the device will be ready for normal use.

In actual use, the lid is removed and the cutting head of the electric shaver is lightly pressed onto the upper surface of the covering 22 of the fluid retaining element, as shown in FIG. 3. This light pressure creates a shallow depression 26 in the covering and the top of the element 20 which immediately fills with conditioningfluid, thus forming a small pool of fluid around the cutting head. The shaver is then electrically actuated and the rapid oscillations or rotations of its cutting elements causes them to be cleaned, sterilized, and lubricated. The lubrication is thus confined to the cutting elements and cannot penetrate to the electrical portions of the shaver due to its inverted position when placed in contact with the fluid retaining element of my invention. After running the shaver for a few moments, it is removed from the conditioner and the cutting head is lightly wiped with a piece of facial tissue or similar material. It should be noted that when the shaver is removed from the conditioner, the light pressure on the fluid retaining element is released and that element, due to its resiliency, expands. This action of expansion not only results in the re-absorption of the pool of conditioning fluid by the element 20 but serves to remove excess or surplus fluid from the cutting head as it is being withdrawn from its contact with the conditioner.

After the shaver or clipper is removed from the conditioner, as described previously, it is then ready for its maximum eflicient use with the cutting elements properly lubricated and its metal parts coated with a protective shielding against the rust-promoting and other deleterious effects of skin perspiration or other acidic exudations.

Obviously, the most inexperienced novice can clean, sterilize, and lubricate his shaver with a minimum of effort by the use of my conditioner. Women users of such instruments will particularly appreciate its convenience, simplicity, and instant availability, whereas, the more mechanically-minded will appreciate the saving of time afforded by the use of my invention.

While the composition of the conditioning fluid is no part of this invention, it may be a combination of one or more detergents, oils, cutting oils, waxes, bactericides, and abrasives. Minute quantities of mild abrasive materials may be added to promote and produce a sharpening action between the cutters and their cooperating elements in the cutting head. Certain types and quantities of silicones, or silicone-like materials, may be added to provide the protective shielding or coating of the exposed metal parts, i v

From the above description, it will be noted that my conditioner provides a ready and convenient means for keeping electric shavers and similar cutting head instruments fully conditioned for use at all times. The conditioner is available for instant use by even the most inexperienced person and does not require any dis-assembly of the instrument. It can be, and is, used before and after each use of the instrument. This frequent conditioning of the electric shaver, particularly, results in cooler, cleaner, closer and quicker shaving as well as definitely prolonging its life up to four times the life of electric shavers not so conditioned and treated. It should further be noted that when my invention is used, the shaver is presented to the conditioner with its cutting head pointing downwardly. This downward attitude of the shaver automatically obviates the possibility of any dirt or excess lubrication reaching the delicate electrical parts in its interior. If the shaver were serviced with the cutting head extending upwardly and using the cleaning and lubricating kits previously furnished, it is most apparent that it would be very diificult to prevent dirt and excess lubricating materials from reaching the interior.

Another important advantage accruing from the use of my invention may be found in that by using a shallow container, say from one-half to three-fourths of an inch in height, the depth to which the cutting head may be immersed in the conditioning fluid is thereby automatically limited. This feature would also positively prevent overlubrication.

While the drawings and the foregoing description illustrate and describe a preferred embodiment of my invention as applied to electric shavers and similar cutting head instruments, it should be thoroughly understood that many modifications may be made to my device which will fall within the spirit of the above disclosure. The shape of the box or container, while shown as rectangular, is of no particular significance. It may be formed of any suitable material and may assume any convenient, geometrical configuration such as circular, elliptical, oblong, square or polygonal. The fluid retaining element would be shaped, generally, to correspond to the shape of the container. This element should preferably be constructed of a resilient foam-like material having a great number of microscopic, inter-connecting cells whereby a comparatively large amount of conditioningv fluid may be absorbed or drawn in and retained regardless of the position of the element. Various types of lids could be used but the one shown, due to its formation of an hermetic seal with the lower or bottom portion, would seem to be preferable.

Having shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not intend to be limited thereby, but only desire to be limited by the scope of the appended claim wherein I claim:

A conditioner for the cutting heads of electric shavers and the like comprising, in combination:

a shallow lidded container consisting of a lid and a bottom portion;

said lower portion having vertically upward extending side walls, said walls being rabbetted externally around the upper edges providing an external shoulder and a portion of each of said walls being roughened internally;

said lid having vertically downward extending walls adapted to fit tightly over the rabbetted edges of said lower portion walls and to rest on said shoulder;

said lid having a plurality of trust-conical protusions depending downwardly from and formed in the lower internal surface of said lid, said protusions being inwardly spaced from the said downwardly extending Walls of said lid whereby, when said lid is placed on said lower portion, the rabbetted edges of said lower portion walls are f-rictionally gripped between said protrusions and said lid walls to effect an hermetic seal between said lid and said lower portion; a resilient fluid-retaining elernent adapted to tightly fit into said lower portion and be retained therein by said roughened internal walls, said element consisting of a portion of a multi-cellular foam-like material having a multiplicity of interconnected microscopic cells adapted to absorb and retain a maximum amount of fluid; and

a quantity of conditioning fluid for absorption in and retention by said fluid-retaining element.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 768,938 Guyon Aug. 30, 1904 850,789 Rosenthal Apr. 16, 1907 1,364,537 Wirnplepleck Jan. 4, 1921 1,457,612 Wimplepleck June 5, 1923 2,313,970 Roderick Mar. 16, 1943 2,348,067 Hoitt May 2, 1944 

